be humbled. None of us live a single week without giving proofs of our weakness, folly, and
depravity. To broken-hearted souls alone the Saviour is precious indeed. Nothing can render the
most suitable outward and inward trials effectual, but the power of the Spirit of God. See here how
God's giving and our getting are reconciled, and apply it to spiritual wealth. All God's gifts are in
pursuance of his promises. Moses repeats the warning he had often given of the fatal consequences
of forsaking God. Those who follow others in sin, will follow them to destruction. If we do as
sinners do, we must expect to fare as sinners fare.
Chapter 9
Chapter Outline
The Israelites not to think their success came (1–6)
by their own worthiness.
Moses reminds the Israelites of their (7–29)
rebellions.Verses 1–6
Moses represents the strength of the enemies they were now to encounter. This was to drive
them to God, and engage their hope in him. He assures them of victory, by the presence of God
with them. He cautions them not to have the least thought of their own righteousness, as if that
procured this favour at God's hand. In Christ we have both righteousness and strength; in Him we
must glory, not in ourselves, nor in any sufficiency of our own. It is for the wickedness of these
nations that God drives them out. All whom God rejects, are rejected for their own wickedness;
but none whom he accepts are accepted for their own righteousness. Thus boasting is for ever done
away: see Eph 2:9, 11, 12.
Verses 7–29
That the Israelites might have no pretence to think that God brought them to Canaan for their
righteousness, Moses shows what a miracle of mercy it was, that they had not been destroyed in
the wilderness. It is good for us often to remember against ourselves, with sorrow and shame, our
former sins; that we may see how much we are indebted to free grace, and may humbly own that
we never merited any thing but wrath and the curse at God's hand. For so strong is our propensity
to pride, that it will creep in under one pretence or another. We are ready to fancy that our
righteousness has got for us the special favour of the Lord, though in reality our wickedness is more
plain than our weakness. But when the secret history of every man's life shall be brought forth at
the day of judgment, all the world will be proved guilty before God. At present, One pleads for us
before the mercy-seat, who not only fasted, but died upon the cross for our sins; through whom we
may approach, though self-condemned sinners, and beseech for undeserved mercy and for eternal